The upcoming Grasslands Society of Southern Australia annual conference will give a valuable insight into how new technologies and improved business structures can help farmers take their businesses forward. .
Event organiser and Limestone Coast Grassland Society branch president Meg Bell said about 250 people were expected to attend the conference at the Millicent Civic and Arts Centre, on July 18 and 19.
The program’s theme is ‘Past + Future = Pasture’ and will include informative speakers, a farmer panel discussion and a bus tour of the Ellis family’s Coola Station at Kongorong.
A technology session will feature Amy Cosby from Central Queensland University speaking on a Meat&Livestock Australia project looking at GPS ear tags for cattle and sheep.
Next Generation Livestock Solutions’ Jonathan England will discuss electronic identification and data collection, and Agriculture Victoria’s Pieter Badenhorst will speak on pasture drone technology.
“We’ve been hearing a lot about these new technologies but this will give the latest information about developments that will be useful for farmers,” Ms Bell said.
Anthony Violi from AV Weather will provides a regional climate and weather update and outlook.
For the past 30 years, Mr Violi has developed an expert understanding of Australian weather conditions, using computer modelling, as well as exhaustive research into 130 years of historical data.
Respected agribusiness consultant Ken Solly will speak on farming business structures and National Australia Bank market analyst Phin Ziebell will provide an outlook for the region’s agricultural economy.
Local farmers- Travis Telford, Richie Kirkland, Kingsley Breeding and Tom Ellis junior- will share their farming experiences and what they hope to achieve in the future.
Guest speaker at the annual dinner with be Andrew Costello from Channel 9 TV show, South Aussie with Cosi.
The conference was last held in the SE at Naracoorte in 2015.
- Details: grasslands.org.au